Quantitative Ability is one of the four sections of the GAT paper. Considering the GAT carries 30% weightage for B.Des and B.F.Tech and 70% for MFM and M.F.Tech, it can effectively make or break your chances of doing well in the NIFT 2026 exam. In this article, we will discuss Quantitative Ability syllabus, prep tips and much more.
Written exams of NIFT 2026 will comprise NIFT CAT and NIFT GAT papers. GAT paper carries 40% weightage, while the CAT carries 30% weightage. Situation Test, which is conducted for shortlisted candidates, carries 20% weightage. Considering the weightage, the GAT paper is crucial to doing well in NIFT 2026 Exam. NTA will conduct NIFT Entrance Exam on February 08, 2026.
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In this article, we discuss how candidates can prepare for Quantitative Ability section of GAT. NIFT GAT paper has five sections, including Quantitative Ability section. The quantitative ability section will include questions from topics like fractions, ratios and proportions, work and tasks and distance. Given that the quantitative ability section has a maths element attached to it, some candidates may find it daunting. But it is also equally true that if the candidate puts in enough effort, the section can be one of the highest-scoring.
- Exam Structure for NTA NIFT B.Des and B.F. Tech Programs
- Exam Structure for NIFT 2026 M.F.Tech. GAT.
- Exam Structure for NIFT 2026 MFM and M. Des GAT.
- NIFT 2026 Syllabus for GAT
- How to prepare for the NIFT 2026 Quantitative Ability?
- Recommended books for Quantitative Ability Section of NIFT 2026 GAT Paper
Exam Structure for NTA NIFT B.Des and B.F. Tech Programs
The number of questions may vary in each section and from year to year. The level of difficulty in questions for different courses may vary.
| Program |
Paper Name |
Language of Written Test |
Test Duration (minutes) |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. Des |
GAT (CBT) CAT (PBT) |
English/Hindi |
120 + 180 |
100 + 3 |
| B.F. Tech |
GAT - Section A (CBT) |
English/Hindi |
120 |
100 |
| GAT - Section B (CBT) |
English/Hindi |
60 |
50 |
|
| B.F. Tech & B. Des. |
Section A (2 hrs) (CBT) Section B (1 hr) (CBT) CAT (3 hrs) (PBT) |
English/Hindi |
180 + 180 |
150 + 3 |
Exam Structure for NIFT 2026 M.F.Tech. GAT.
Check out the exam structure and sections of GAT for M.F.Tech.
| Paper Name |
Language of Written Test |
Test Duration (minutes) |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAT |
English/Hindi |
180 |
150 |
Check out the breakdown of NIFT GAT Sections for M.F.Tech.
| Section |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Communication Ability and English Comprehension |
45 |
| Case Study |
25 |
| Quantitative Ability |
30 |
| Analytical and Logical Ability |
25 |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs |
25 |
| Total |
150 |
Exam Structure for NIFT 2026 MFM and M. Des GAT.
Check out the Exam Structure for MFM and M. Des Programs.
| Program |
Paper Name |
Language of Written Test |
Test Duration (minutes) |
No. of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFM |
GAT (CBT) |
English/Hindi |
180 (3 hours) |
150 |
| M. Des |
GAT (CBT) + CAT (3 hrs.) |
English/Hindi |
120 (2 hours) |
120 |
| MFM & M. Des |
Section-A (2 hrs.) + Section-B (1 hr.) + CAT (3 hrs.) |
English/Hindi |
180 (3 hours) + 180 |
150 + 3 |
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The exam analysis for NIFT 2026 written exam will be available soon after completion of CAT and GAT written exams. It will consist difficulty level, types of questions asked, marking scheme, and expected cut off. Also, the analysis will highlight any technical issues during NIFT. With analysis, candidates will be able to assess their performance and check what went right and what went wrong. Future aspirants also can go through the NIFT exam analysis to learn about the exam.
The candidate can find the exam analysis for NIFT over the last few years on this page. The NIFT exam analysis is available for both the CAT and GAT papers. The exam analysis for a specific year will cover the sectional and overall difficulty level of the paper, types of questions asked, and marking scheme. It will also cover the expected cut-off that candidates need to secure in their category to get shortlisted. The candidate by consulting the cut-off for previous years will learn about the emerging trends of the NIFT exam, like whether the difficulty level has increased or decreased, types of questions asked, etc.
Check out the breakdown of NIFT GAT Sections for MFM & M. Des.
| Section |
No. of Questions (M.F.M.) |
No. of Questions (M. Des.) |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Ability and English Comprehension |
50 |
50 |
| Quantitative Ability |
20 |
20 |
| Analytical and Logical Ability |
25 |
25 |
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs |
25 |
25 |
| Case Study |
30 |
NA |
| Total |
150 |
120 |
NIFT 2026 Syllabus for GAT
The NIFTEE Syllabus for GAT 2026 is
| Topics |
Description |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability |
This subtest is designed to test the quantitative ability of the candidates. The subtest consists of questions on Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentages, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. |
| This subtest is aimed at testing the language ability of the candidates in day-to-day communication in English. It includes questions on synonyms, antonyms, words with corresponding meanings, singular, plural, one-word substitutes, idioms and phrases, correct spellings, comprehending a situation from a given passage, etc. |
|
| This subtest is designed to test the candidate’s capacity for inference and logic from the given information and to evaluate the candidate’s ability to identify the given problem and apply reasoning in solving the core issues of the problem. Concepts and practices of creative and lateral thinking are likely to be useful. |
|
| General Knowledge and Current Affairs |
This subtest is designed to test the candidate’s general knowledge and current affairs. Candidates must keep themselves updated with the latest happenings. |
How to prepare for the NIFT 2026 Quantitative Ability?
The candidate needs to follow the following tips to prepare for the Quantitative Ability section of NIFTEE 2026 (GAT paper)
- Follow the syllabus prescribed for the Quantitative Ability section
- Understand NIFT exam pattern.
- Make sure that you have a well-defined study plan.
- Practice NIFTEE previous years’ sample papers - By solving sample papers, you can practice all the relevant questions associated with the Quantitative Ability section. The sample papers will contain the same types of questions as those asked in the actual exam, so their difficulty level and coverage will be as per the exam requirements.
- Solve previous years’ question papers - This exercise will help you find out what kind of questions have been asked over the years, the topic-wise weightage, and any specific trend being followed in framing questions for the Quantitative Ability section. Note that in some cases, questions may be repeated. So, if the candidate practices the question papers, there is a chance some questions may be asked that, to a large extent, are similar to questions asked in previous years.
- Take NIFT mock tests - Mocks should be taken closer to the exam, especially in the last few weeks of the exam. By taking the mock tests, the candidate will be able to give the last-minute touches to their preparation and help fix silly and important errors.
Recommended books for Quantitative Ability Section of NIFT 2026 GAT Paper
To prepare for the Quantitative Ability section, the candidate may consult any or some of the following books.
NIFT 2026 exam analysis will be available soon after written exams are over.
Analysis will cover
- Section-wise difficulty level of the exam
- Overall difficulty level
- Types of questions
- Specific questions asked in the exam
- Weightage of questions asked
- Expected cut-off
- About any technical glitches during the exam.
The NTA also releases the recorded responses for the NIFT exam. The recorded responses are the corbon copy of the candidate’s answer sheet.
The recorded responses are meant to bring transparency to the conduct of the NIFT entrance exam. For instance, the candidate can’t be unfairly penalized or awarded marks, as the answer sheets will be in the public.
It is because the candidate can challenge the result if there is an anomaly.
Further, the candidate can use the NIFT recorded responses to correctly calculate their probable scores.
The participating institutes of NIFTs offer a 4-year B.FTech programme. Admission to the programme is based on GAT scores.
- The NIFT GAT question paper for the programme will be approximately 180 minutes and will be bilingual.
- Candidates will have the option to take the exam either in English or Hindi.
- The question type will be multiple-choice.
- The question paper will have a total of 150 questions.
- Questions will be asked from the following FIVE sections - Communication Ability and Comprehension, Case Study, Quantitative Ability, Analytical & Logical Ability, and GK and Current Affairs. The mode of NIFT exam for the GAT paper will be a computer-based test (or CBT).
- RS Aggarwal
- NIFT Arihant
Candidates are also urged to go through the full list of the best books for NIFT 2026.

Sayeba Naushad is a commerce postgraduate from Banaras Hindu University. She has over five years of experience in content writing and editing. She has a nose for current events in design field. At Shiksha.com, she s
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Student Forum
Answered Yesterday
NIFT Situation Test is a hands on test. It evaluates a candidate skills for material handling and innovative ability with a given set of materials. Candidates are required to make a 3D model.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
No, there is no negative marking in NIFT Situation Test. Negative marking is only there in NIFT GAT part in stage 1.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
NIFT exam is among the most competitive and the toughest. So, it is recommended that candidate start their exam preparation in advance, around 1 year before.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
After completing NIFT 3D model in Situation Test, candidates are required to write a brief explanation of model. This is known as Write Up. It should be clear, concise and structured. It should explain process, inspiration, theme and materials.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
A Technical Ability Test (TAT) and Personal Interview will be conducted for NIFT Stage 2 examination of B.F.Tech. (NLEA). The format of the exam will be in paper-based (OMR) format.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
NIFT Situation Test will be of 2 hours. In this time, candidates have to draw the given 3D model and write about it.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
There is no dress code for the NTA NIFT 2026 Situation Test. But it is advisable to dress up neatly and smartly. Students should avoid chunky jewellry flashy logos for the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
After NIFT Situation Test, NIFT prepares a final merit list based on the weighted average of GAT, CAT, and Situation Test and Interview scores. Qualified candidates are then invited for counselling.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
NIFT Stage 2 will have Situation Test and Personal Interview.
| Programme | Stage 2 Components |
|---|---|
| B.Des (Bachelor of Design) | Situation Test – Model-making, material handling, creativity, innovation |
| B.Des (NLEA) | Studio Test + Personal Interview |
| B.Des (Artisans) | Artisan Skill Test + Personal Interview |
| B.F.Tech (NLEA) | Technical Ability Test (OMR-based) + Personal Interview |
| PG Programmes (M.Des, M.F.M., M.F.Tech) | Personal Interview |
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
NIFT 2026 Situation Test will be conducted, tentatively in second week of June 2026. It is expected to be conducted on June 08, 2026 based on last year date.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Candidates seeking admission to the B. Des and M.Des course also need to take the Creative Ability Test CAT written exam, in addition to the GAT. The CAT exam will be conducted in an offline, pen-pencil mode. CAT will be a drawing-based exam of 3 hours duration. The CAT will evaluate various skills of the candidate including Intuition skill, power of observation, innovation in the development of a concept as well as design ability. Further, it will examine the creative as well as innovative use of color and illustration skills of aspirants. It is mandatory for B. Des and M.Des candidates to appear in the CAT paper, or else they will not be invited for the Situation Test.